New Viking makes nasty impression

Cornerback lays some hits on Bears' Allen

Carter, a four-time Pro Bowler out of Tennessee, made an impact in the first half of Sunday's 13-6 win, tying secondary mate Tyrone Carter with five tackles. He also leveled Allen twice with crushing hits.

On third-and-2 from the Bears' 28 on the Bears' first possession of the game, quarterback Jim Miller threw a swing pass to Allen. Carter met Allen just as the ball arrived--knocking Allen backward and the ball loose for an incomplete pass and forcing the Bears to punt.

In the second quarter, on first down from the Bears' 20, Carter came off the corner and cut down Allen for a 3-yard loss on an attempted sweep.

Carter was signed Nov. 8 by the Vikings after being released by Denver. He made his first start Monday night against the New York Giants and picked up a pair of tackles.

The first-round draft choice of the Kansas City Chiefs in 1992 gives the Vikings an experienced cover corner who, as displayed by his hits on Allen, doesn't mind sticking his nose into the fray to play the run.

The Vikings can use help in the secondary, they came into Sunday's game with the 27th-ranked pass defense in the NFL.

They certainly didn't seem that bad Sunday, when they held Bears quarterback to just 10-of-21 passing for 97 yards.

In the first quarter, Miller was 0-for-6.

Vikings coach Dennis Green hopes that Carter can help even out a turnover margin that is 30th in the league. Carter has 23 interceptions in 119 games.

Coming to Minnesota was also a bit of a homecoming for Carter.

He joins his brother, Vikings wide receiver Jake Reed, for the first time since they played together in high school.